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Good morning to you.

And congratulations – you’re now within inches of officially becoming part owner of a pipeline. The federal government had until yesterday to find another private-sector buyer to flip the Trans Mountain pipeline to, but alas none could be found. It had been working with Kinder Morgan to identify another company to take it on before the July 22 deadline. But it appears people weren’t lining up to call this one their own.

As the deadline drew near, protestors, who aren’t keen to be part owners of the project, hauled a fake pipeline to Parliament Hill. Dressed in white hazmat suits and as Kinder Morgan employees, they also carried a bill for $4.5 billion – the cost of the project.

With the much anticipated, but slightly anti-climactic cabinet shuffle now done, we’re heading into what will likely be one of the most leisurely-paced weeks of the summer news cycle. That is, unless you happen to be one of the three ministers tasked with managing the steady stream of asylum-seekers coming to Canada via “irregular crossings” along the American border, of course.

A group of asylum seekers arrive at the temporary housing facilities at the border crossing Wednesday May 9, 2018 in St. Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que. As the United States faces mounting criticism over its treatment and detention of illegal migrants, new statistics released by the Canadian government offer a contrast to the way Canada treats its illegal border crossers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

The House immigration committee has booked a full day of expert witness testimony to kick off its mid-summer review of the “impact” of the “irregular crossing of Canada’s southern border.” That’s set to get underway tomorrow, with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale kicking things off. Kady O’Malley has a look at what else we’re watching this week.

Still with newcomers: Canada has offered to accept dozens of White Helmets and their families from Syria following a dramatic rescue over the weekend that was orchestrated by the Israeli military and personally encouraged by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Named for their easily recognizable head gear, the all-volunteer White Helmets have been lauded and supported by Canada and other Western nations for their role as first responders and humanitarian workers who have saved hundreds of lives during Syria’s brutal civil war.

The White Helmets are courageous volunteers and first responders who risk their lives to help their fellow Syrians. Our thanks to Israel, Jordan, US, UK, Germany and our other partners who have worked closely with Canada to make the evacuation of WH possible.

While MPs and senators might not be ready to break out the parachute pants this fall, it will most definitely be hammer time on the Hill. Public Services and Procurement Canada told iPolitics that construction workers will be hammering, drilling and sawing their way through walls, ceilings and floors of the Centre Block even though MPs, as well as senators, will still occupy the two Houses of Parliament. That story from Tim Naumetz.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

In the midst of heightened tensions between Russia and NATO, the commander of a Canadian ship returning from the alliance’s deterrence mission in eastern Europe said his crew’s interactions with their adversary’s military were always professional. Cmdr. Gord Noseworthy sailed with a crew of 240 Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force members aboard the HMCS St. John’s during their six month deployment to NATO’s Operation Reassurance. They left Canada on January 17. Our Charlie Pinkerton had a chat with him upon his return.

Seamus O’Regan has been slapped with a lawsuit by a former soldier. Sean Bruyea of Ottawa, a well-known, outspoken veterans advocate, is suing the veterans affairs minister for $25,000 for defamation. The suit stems from a column written by O’Regan and printed in the Hill Times in February. Bruyea alleges the minister painted him as “a liar” who “was deliberately untruthful to serve some dishonest personal agenda.” That story from CBC.

HERE AND THERE

Statistics Canada releases the wholesale trade numbers for May and data on unfounded criminal incidents, and police-reported crime – including the crime severity index – with the release of the 2017 annual crime statistics.

MP Wayne Long and Energy and New Brunswick Resource Development Minister Rick Doucet make an announcement in Saint John regarding early learning and child care facilities.

To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!

Meanwhile at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum last night, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran’s leaders resemble “the mafia more than a government.” Now some might say that’s a bit rich…

(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The first trial prosecuted by special counsel Robert Mueller will offer the clearest public view yet of what his investigators have on Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, with a catalogue of evidence and testimony undercutting the president’s repeated claims that the Russia investigation is a “witch hunt.” As Politico reports, while members of Team Trump insist they’re not worried, the risks are piling up. That trial gets underway this week.

“Because it is all a big hoax, that’s why, and he thought Crooked Hillary was going to win!!!”

The International Monetary Fund warned world economic leaders on Saturday that a recent wave of trade tariffs would significantly harm global growth. Managing Director Christine Lagarde said she would present the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Buenos Aires with a report detailing the impacts of the restrictions already announced on global trade. Her warning came a day after Trump threatened a major escalation in his dispute with China.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron has ordered a staff shake-up after a video emerged showing his now sacked aide beating up a protester, officials say. He gathered several ministers together on Sunday to discuss the row. Alexandre Benalla, who was Macron’s top bodyguard before he was fired Friday, is seen dragging away a woman and then beating a man during May Day protests in Paris. He’s been charged with group violence and illegally wearing a police badge. More from the BBC.

Greece burning up. Sweden burning up. The Arctic burning up. Japan suffering from a heat wave. Ontario burning up, BC burning up. California in a drought. 90 dead in Quebec from heat and who knows how many in Ontario. Yes, lets ship out more fossil fuel to be burned. Our leaders tell us we can protect the environment and grow the economy at the same time by building the pipeline. Anyone who believes that is in some kind of deep denial.

Some areas, such as Greenland will of coarse notice less pressure. This rapid change in pressures will increase the rate of slippage? More earthquakes? more volcanic activity? more volcanic emissions? less sunshine reaching earth? global cooling? new ice age?

Good ole Canadian Taxpayers continued to get shafted by this government. 4.5 billion to purchase the damn pipeline. Construction could added up to another 7.5 billion. Thanks Mr. Dress Up for screwing Canadians.